This project models the series of formal and informal negotiations which led to the publication, in December 1993, of a declaration issued jointly by the British and Irish Governments. The Joint Declaration was a critical policy document which paved the way for a ceasefire and the entry of Sinn Féin into formal talks. It also laid out a shared set of principles – including, crucially, self-determination for the people of Ireland subject to the consent of the people of Northern Ireland – which would come to underpin the Belfast Good Friday Agreement and provide a framework for its ratification.
This committee has been created to model meetings between the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach.
To see the full record of a committee, click on the corresponding committee on the map below.
The tête-à-tête meeting between John Major and Albert Reynolds began with an unminuted conversation between the two of them. Martin Mansergh and Roderic Lyne joined the meeting at 11.50. The two leaders agreed on their objectives and on the need to produce an acceptable text. They discussed the position of the PIRA, the Loyalist paramilitaries, and the Unionist politicians. They agreed to look at the Joint Declaration together after lunch with their delegations.
Membership (at session start):
John Major, Albert Reynolds (2 total)
Representing 2 delegations:
British Government , Irish Government
No imported or exported documents
Resources (17):
Resource Collections (0):
None
Resource Items (17):
A letter from Roderic Lyne to Jonathan Stephens giving a brief two-page summary of the fairly contentious Anglo-Irish Summit on 3 December 1993. which goes through the different meetings that were held and briefly states the conclusions they came to. It was agreed to discuss the text of the Declaration further during a Butler/Nally meeting to be held on 6 December 1993.
Comments on the outcome of the 3 December 1993 talks, including an assessment of the reaction of Irish officials and press. Highlighted.
Provides an account for the meeting between John Major and Albert Reynolds regarding the recent revelations of communication links between the British Government and the IRA and the Irish Government's unattributable briefing of 2 December 1993 to the press.
Provides an account of the meeting between Albert Reynolds and John Major on 3 December 1993 regarding recent events, including the revelation of exchanges between the British Government and the IRA and the briefing made in the Irish press by the Irish Government.
High-level summary of the events of 3 December 1993.
Provides an account of the Anglo-Irish non-Summit that took place on 3 December 1993, with John Major, Patrick Mayhew and Douglas Hurd from the British Government and Albert Reynolds, Dick Spring and Máire Geoghegan-Quinn from the Irish Government. Encloses a record of the early afternoon meeting between Albert Reynolds and John Major, and a note on the late afternoon plenary meeting between the two delegations to discuss proposed amendments in the Joint Declaration.
Note [by Martin Mansergh] of the tête-à-tête meeting between Albert Reynolds and John Major during the Dublin Castle Summit on 3 December 1993. He and Roderic Lyne were invited in to take notes "after twenty-five minutes' private conversation". Topics under discussion included their shared objectives and how to meet them; the text of the Joint Declaration; UK government contact with the IRA; the leak of the Irish Framework Document; and Maastricht and the question of a deal with the UUP.
A speech headed 'Prime Minister's Opening Statement' and annotated '?3/12/94?' [sic]. Given its position within the file it seems likely to have been a draft of Major's opening statement to the press following the Anglo-Irish Summit on 3 December 1993.
Programme and delegate list for a meeting between Reynolds and Major on 3 December 1993 at Dublin Castle.
Record of the second half of the tête-à-tête during the Anglo-Irish summit, after Martin Mansergh and Roderic Lyne joined the meeting. Mutual recriminations about British contact with PIRA and Irish Government press leaks.
Record of the tête-a-tête between John Major and Albert Reynolds after the arrival of Martin Mansergh and Roderic Lyne. Some sections have been highlighted in pink and 'Michael Mansergh' has been crossed out and 'Martin' added in pen.
A note for the record of the tête-à-tête meeting between John Major and Albert Reynolds during the Anglo-Irish Summit on 3 December 1993. Recriminations on both sides regarding British government contacts with the PIRA, and Irish government briefing of the press. The alternative British draft and the leaked Irish framework paper were also mentioned. The importance of the Joint Declaration was acknowledged on both sides.
Summary of the day's events, including timings.
Transcript of the joint press conference following the Anglo-Irish Summit on 3 December 1993. In the original National Archive file, the document begins at p.3 and then pp.1-2 are at the end. We have reorganized here for ease of use.
Transcription of the joint press conference given by John Major and Albert Reynolds in Dublin on 3 December 1993 after the working meeting between the British and Irish Governments.
Transcription of the joint press conference given by John Major and Albert Reynolds in Dublin on 3 December 1993 after the working meeting between the British and Irish Governments. The date on the first page is an error, and should read 3 December 1993.
Transcription of the joint press conference given by John Major and Albert Reynolds in Dublin on 3 December 1993 after the working meeting between the British and Irish Governments. The date on the first page is an error, and should read 3 December 1993.
Summary of events in this session:
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Procedure:
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